It's umpires' turn to reveal...

JOHANNESBURG, APRIL 20. In yet another development in the match- fixing saga, two top South African umpires have disclosed that they were offered money to influence results of matches at different points in their career.

While umpire Cyril Mitchley said he was offered $50,000 to ensure Pakistan did not lose the last of a three-Test home series against Australia - which the host won 1-0 - in 1996, umpire Rudi Koertzen did not reveal the amount but said he was approached with an offer during a limited-overs match between India and the West Indies in last year's tri-nation one-day series in Singapore which also involved Zimbabwe.

``I was called by someone in the crowd on the first morning. He offered me $50,000 to ensure Pakistan did not lose the match,'' Mitchley, who was on the ICC umpires panel from 1994 to 1998, said. ``I immediately reported the exchange to match referee John Reid from New Zealand and we went back to the spot. The guy had gone by then and John obviously decided not to take the matter any further,'' he added.

Koertzen, who is currently on the ICC panel, said he received a call in his hotel room from a person who suggested he could make some money by influencing the result of the match between India and the West Indies.

``I immediately hung up and reported the incident to match referee. These guys will try their luck with anyone involved with the game,'' he said.

Reacting to the statements, South Africa Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher said both players and umpires should be investigated during the ICC meeting to be held in London on May 2 and 3 to discuss match-fixing.

Meanwhile, the Government has announced that players and officials would not be forced to testify before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be set up within the next few days.

A sports department spokesman said the appointment of a judge to conduct the inquiry is to make the whole exercise `more transparent.' The Board would not participate in the inquiry but was expected to cooperate with the commission to ensure the players attended the proceedings, the spokesman said.

- PTI

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Section  : Sport
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